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SRS Q&A Questions

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Select Answers: Saudi-WWE Deal, Statlander

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Do you know how much longer WWE contract is with Saudi Arabia for PLE's or is it just permanent at this point.

The current WWE-Saudi Arabia contract runs through 2027, and is a huge money deal for WWE. The deal calls for ...

Bryan Danielson Update After AEW WrestleDream

Bryan Danielson’s full-time run has reached its end, and we’ve learned more about the last few months of his career. 

Danielson lost to Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream and his full-time career is effectively over. It was indicated to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful that Danielson specifically wanted to lose to Moxley to end that run.

As highlighted on Fightful Select, AEW doctors legitimately didn’t allow Bryan Danielson to be involved with Blood and Guts, though it was somet...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: AEW WrestleDream 2024 | The Final Final Countdown

It's year number 2 of AEW's WrestleDream.

Will Mox send Bryan Danielson off into the sunset?
Will Takeshita win the Triple Threat for the International Title?
Will Mariah May retain her Women's Championship?
Will Private Party finally make good on their potential?
Will Shibata crucify a scapegoat?
What will happen when Swerve returns to Tacoma?
Will Mark Briscoe win? Or will the worst thing ever happen?

All those questions, and more, will be answered by Alex on K...

AEW WrestleDream SCOOPS THREAD

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following scoops from AEW WrestleDream tonight. The thread will be updated throughout the night

• Madison Rayne produced the women’s four way top contender match on AEW Dynamite

• So far, we've not heard of Bobby Lashley being at the venue.

• Despite not being booked for a match, Swerve Strickland was always planned to be featured on AEW WrestleDream in some capacity. We’re told the creative dire...

  2024-10-12 22:26:06 +0000 UTC View Post

More on Jimmy Jacobs leaving AEW

Jimmy Jacobs has finished up with AEW, and there's been much discussion about his departure since Fightful Select broke the news.

Fightful Select was told that Jacobs was very well liked backstage in All Elite Wrestling and there appeared to be no ill will regarding his departure. Jacobs cited burnout and not wanting to travel as much as a reason for wanting to finish up. AEW took the opportunity to decide that the move would be a creative freshening for them, as Jacobs was a major part...

The Fightful Select Exclusive AEW WrestleDream Pre-Show

Rob Wilkins, Maggie, & Chris Mueller of Bleacher/Report Preview & Predict AEW WrestleDream and answer your questions!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hJX7x9wCCo&t=3s

Jimmy Jacobs leaves AEW

There has been a departure on the AEW writing team.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed that Jimmy Jacobs has finished up with All Elite Wrestling. We're told that Jacobs effectively resigned over the past week, and that the two sides remain on amicable terms. We're told that AEW is going to look at the move as a way to freshen up the writers room, and that Jacobs had been burned out of late.

Jacobs had been at the most shows of anyone that worked directly with Tony Kh...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review & Rampage WatchAlong 10/11 | Anti-Matter

What a supremely frustrating episode of SmackDown.

Nothing makes sense, but I'm not sure it's supposed to.

Rampage has matches, let's watch those while we talk about the imminent return of BRAND SUPREMACY.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58xbLA1VvU

MCMG-WWE update

Motor City Machine Guns are on their way to WWE, and we now have at least a time table for them.

Vignettes for Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin have been airing for the last week, highlighting areas in Detroit. We don’t have a confirmation on if they’re keeping their Motor City Machine Guns team name yet, but we have learned when they’re planned to be on the show. Word internally is that their travel has been set for the October 25 Smackdown in Brooklyn, so they'll be on the road by t...

Select Answers: Women's Tag Titles, Miro, Taz

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

I know Tony Khan mentioned it a few months ago, but have you heard any further talk about AEW adding a Women's Tag Team title

I've never heard of any serious plans of a women's tag team titles. In fact, the closest I've e...

Fightful Speaks To Mark Briscoe And Orange Cassidy Of The Conglomeration

Fightful Select had the opportunity to speak with the ROH Heavyweight Champion, Mark Briscoe, in an exclusive interview.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke with the Conglomeration member for about twenty minutes, discussing numerous topics.

The interview began with Sean mentioning to Mark that The Briscoes vs. FTR matches came in first and second place for the Fightful Tag Team Match of the Year. [The winner was Briscoes vs. FTR III - Final Battle]

Sean asked Mark how it felt...

MJF Update

MJF is in Happy Gilmore 2, in a significant role.

Fightful Select has learned a little bit more about the role, which was a major one moving forward for his career. We’re told that MJF was filming throughout September. He's expected to be returning to AEW TV sooner than later, though we don't have an exact date pinpointed.

In addition, MJF secured a role in another movie featuring Justin Long and Ron Pearlman. Details are few and far between regarding that one.

In an up...

Select Portions: UK Scene Update, CW Anderson

Fightful's Corey Brennan has learned the following news from the UK scene.

- PROGRESS Women’s World Champion Rhio will be in the US at the end of this month, and we are told there is interest from multiple companies in taking a look at her. However, PROGRESS were involved in securing Rhio’s visa, so her visit to the States is unlikely unrelated. Lykos Gym will also be stateside for a run.

- Those we spoke to in the British Wrestling scene have heaped praise on Cara Noir follo...

Select Answers: Raw on Netflix, Tiffany Stratton, Jey Uso

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Is Raw definitely going to be 3 hours on Netflix?

Here's as plainly as I can put that. I asked WWE about Smackdown's runtime when it was first rumored they were going to three hours, and they said Smackdown would remain...

Update on MVP-Chris Jericho relationship

For those asking how a rocky situation in AEW will be handled, it was already handled. 

Fightful Select reported that MVP had officially signed with All Elite Wrestling, which led to an elephant in the room. The former friends turned real life foes MVP. Word had emerged that the two had a physical altercation on a past Jericho Cruise, and that there was an incident at an AEW hotel in recent years where the two also argued. However, that’s in the past.

Those that we spoke to...

Select Answers: AEW-WBD Deal, PPVs, Max

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

I have not heard much conversation about the AEW PPV library specifically. Will this be on Max?

I asked about this and got some clarification from WBD, because Kathleen Finch had mentioned the library to Sports Business J...

AEW Changes, NXT Producers, More Details

• We're told that AEW and Tony Khan had been working around the clock for the last couple of weeks across various shows due to the implications and travel changes from the hurricanes that drastically affected their plans. AEW ended up being very happy with Title Tuesday. We're told there were many talent missing shows and last minute changes that the company needed to work around over the last two weeks.

• This weekend will be a rarity as Tony Khan isn't expected at the Jac...

  2024-10-09 15:10:01 +0000 UTC View Post

NXT And AEW Backstage News, NXT Rundowns

AEW-NXT Notes

• A reminder, we have a dual NXT-AEW post show tonight on Fightful.

• AEW was aware that Britt Baker is under the weather as of this afternoon, and will be stuck in Orlando during the hurricane.

• Taz underwent surgery this week and is now recovering.

• There were rewrites to AEW, but it looks like NXT will happen as planned.

NXT Rundown 

• Dark Match: Wendy Cho...

  2024-10-08 23:51:32 +0000 UTC View Post

Delmi Exo re-signs with MLW

MLW has retained an integral part of their women's division.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed that Delmi Exo has re-signed with Major League Wrestling. We're told the contract is multi-year in length. There were several months left on her current contract but both sides were excited to get ahead and work out a new deal.

We're told MLW has been very happy with Exo, from her in-ring work to contributions in the locker room. We've heard much of the same for Janai Kai, ...

WWE Raw News, Producers, CM Punk, Bad Blood Merch Sellers, More

• CM Punk is not expected for the Saudi Arabia show, last we checked, which would explain his absence.

• Alexandra Williams is the writer for CM Punk's promo.

• Fightful was told there were some "growing pains" with the switch back to two hours, but that formatting Raw wasn't difficult as the company has been running two hour Smackdowns for the last 25 years.

• There was some frustration internally with the booking of the women's match, the perceiv...

  2024-10-08 19:27:02 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 10/7 | Two's Company, Three's A Crowd

It's the first two hour episode of the new lame duck era of Raw on USA.
It's just the same Raw with one-third less wrestling.

So, basically, it's even worse than before.

But it might still be salvageable if Goldberg doesn't cost Gunther the title in the main event.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NglGXnFAc_c

SPOILERS: WWE RAW SCOOPS THREAD for Next WEEK!

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has learned the following plans for the October 14 WWE Raw, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

• Rhea Ripley promo

• Women's Tag Titles: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL

• Unlisted segment

• SPOILER MATCH AND REVEAL

• SPOILER PROMO

• SPOILER ONE ON ONE MATCH

• R-Truth vs. Miz

• SPOILER MA...

  2024-10-07 23:13:23 +0000 UTC View Post

WWE Raw SCOOPS THREAD

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

• SPOILER PROMO

• IC Title: Jey Uso vs. Xavier Woods

• Unlisted segment

• Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne

• SPOILER TAG MATCH

• World Title: Gunther vs. Sami Zayn

Backstage News:

• Main Event Taping: Sol Ru...

  2024-10-07 23:06:16 +0000 UTC View Post

WWE Expecting One Of The Most Buzzworthy Raws Ever For Netflix Debut

WWE is going to have a longer gap than usual between PLEs with the Royal Rumble 2025 happening in February, but they’re not concerned.

WWE Raw debuts on Netflix in January, with the debut episode taking place on January 6. John Cena has already confirmed that he’ll be a part of that show, which Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp is told is expected to be a big one.

“The show is likely to be one of the biggest episodes of Raw in history, from the standpoint of buzz,” a long...

Select Answers: AJ Styles injury, Cody/Kevin, PLEs

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Any update on AJ Styles after Smackdown?

I don't usually put opinion based stuff in here, but I wanted to clarify. I was initially told that it was a work, and was planned. Reports elsewhere indicated the injury was legi...

Fightful Weekender (10/6): IWC, WXW, NWA, WRESTLEDREAM PREDICTIONS, ROH SPOILERS

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

- IWC: "Super Indy 23" results

- WXW: "Inner Circle 16" + "World Tag Team Festival" + "Extreme Wrestling Party" + "Femme Fatales" results

- NWA 76 results

- AEW: "WrestleDream" predictions

- ROH HonorClub SPOILERS (57 min-end)

SRS Fightful Report Podcast (10/6/24): Q&A, AEW-WBD, The Rock!

0:00 AEW-WBD Deal

7:00 AEW 5th Anniversary

8:15 Adam Cole

9:15 Hurt Syndicate

10:15 Kris Statlander

11:15 Luchasaurus

12:15 Britt Baker

13:15 TNA Hall of Fame

14:15 MCMG-WWE

15:15 AJ Styles

16:15 Smackdown News

17:45 NXT

19:45 WWE Bad Blood, The Rock

23:15 Keith Lee

24:30 Q&A portion

WWE Bad Blood, Lashley, 5 match card, Gabe Kidd, WBD-AEW deal, NXT Horsewomen Part 2, AJ Styles, Ben Bishop, Royal Ru...

Keith Lee status update

Keith Lee still isn’t ready for a return to the ring.

After being sidelined for 9 full months, man of our subscribers were inquiring regarding the status of former AEW Tag Team Champion Keith Lee. In following up, we were told that Keith Lee has still yet to be cleared for a return to action due to an undisclosed medical issue.

Lee was planned to take on Swerve Strickland at AEW Worlds End last year, which was to finally capitalize on the two splitting almost one year prior. Unf...

Select Answers: Ryback, WWE Studios, Crazzy Steve

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Has WWE quietly shutdown its film division or is it that documentaries are the main focus now?

Yes, they have. They haven't produced much of anything for years on the film side. They had credits on Rumble, and there were ...